Device for turning backstays.



No. 655,582. Patented Aug. 7, |900. R. C. SCHEMMEL. D'EvlcE Fon TURNING BACK STA-Ys,

(Applicatipn led Jan. 25, 1909.)

(No Model.)

UNITED STATES PATENT Cerros. 'i

ROBERT o. soHnMMEL,` orA UNION CITY, INDANA.

DEVICE i--o-R TURNING BACKSTAYS."

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 655,582, dated August '7, 1900.

Application tiled January 25, 1900. Serial No. 2,784. (No model.) l Y To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, ROBERT C. SCHEMMEL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Union City, in the' county'of Randolph and State of Indiana, have invented new and useful Improvements in Devices for Turning Backstays, of which thev following is a specification.

My invention relates to devices for turning backstays such as used in trimming buggies, carriages, and the like; and its novelty and advantages will be fully understood from the following description and claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure lis a plan view of my improved device with the pressing-pieces shown as secured in their closed positions. Fig. 2 is an enlargeddetail longitudinal section of the device, the same being shown with the pressingpieces at the upper side of the body open and those at the lower side closed. Fig. 3 is an enlarged transverse section illustrating the upper and lower pressing-pieces in the saine positions as in Fig. 2.

Referring by letter to the said drawings, A is the body of the device, which is preferably of wood and rectangular or oblong in form. This body is preferably providedat its opposite sides with pressing-pieces and certain appurtenances thereof, as shown, in vo rder to enable the device to turn two backstays at the same time. I desire it distinctly understood, however, that when deemed expedient the body may be provided with pressingpieces and the appurtenances thereof at but one side without departing from the scope of my invention.

B represents longitudinal pressing-pieces, of which there are two at each side of the body A, and C represents the end pressing-pieces, of which there is one at each side of the body. Said pressing-pieces are connected by pieces of flexible material to the body, so as to enable them to fold in upon the sides of the same, and their contiguous ends are beveled, so as to rest close together when they are folded in upon the body.

By preference the longitudinal pressingpieces 'B at each longitudinal edge of the body A are iexibly connected to the edge by a piece of leather D, which is interposed between a reinforcing-strip E of leather or other suitable material, and the said `edge and is made to covermetallic strengthening-strips D', suitably connected to the inner faces of the pressing-pieces, as indicated by F, so as to prevent said strips Dfrom injuring the backstays operated on. The transverse pressing-pieces C are likewise connected tothe end edge of the body by a piece of leather or other suitable flexible material G, whichv is interposed between a reinforcing-strip H of leather and the said edge and is made to cover metallic strengthening-strips H', suitably connected to the inner faces of the pieces C, as indicated by H2, so as to prevent said strips H from injuring the backstays.

I I are plates connected tothe outer sides of the end pressing-pieces C. These plates are respectively provided with outwardlyextending arms a, provided with eyes b, an arcuate slot c, and an aperture d. The apertures d of said plates are designed to receive studs con arms or projections J, while the slots c are designed for the play of bolts f, through the medium of which the arms or projections are connected to the plates. Said arms or projections are so arranged as to eX- tend inwardly from the pressing-pieces C when said pieces are folded in upon the body A for a purpose presently to be described.

K K are keepers, of metal or other suitable material, which are connected to the outer sides of the longitudinal pressing-pieces B and are provided with overhanging portions g, and LL' arefastening-arms pivotally connected to the outer sides ofthe pressing-pieces B. The arm L of each pressing-piece B at each side of the body A is adapted to be swung into engagement with the keeper K of the other pressing-piece and when so placed are adapted to hold the pressing-pieces against the sides of the body A. The arms L, adjacent to the end pressing-pieces E, are also adapted when placed in engagement with their complementary keepers K to rest over the arms .I ofthe pieces C and hold said pieces against the sides of the body, as shown in Figs. l and 2.

By virtue of the pivotal connection of the arms .I to the plates I the said arms may be swung from beneath the arms L, and the pressing-pieces C may be released, when de- IOO sirable or necessary, without releasing the pressing-pieces B.

I provide springs M at the ends of the device and springs N at the sides of the saine. The springs M comprise coils h, which are mou nted on studs z', connected to the longitudinal edges of the body A, and arms j, which extend loosely through the eyes b of the arms a on plates I. The'springs N likewise comprise coils k, which are mounted on studs Z, f

connected to the longitudinal edges of the body A, and arms m, which loosely extend through eyes n in arms p on the pressingpieces B.

As best shown in Fig. 1, the lower arms of the springs M N extend loosely through the lateral arms on the upper pressing-pieces,

while the upper arms of said springs extend loosely through the lateral arms of the lower pressing-pieces. Consequently it will be seen that when the pressing-pieces B C are folded in against the' body A the tension of the springs M N is exerted toward the horizontal plane of the body, with the result that the outer portions of the pressing-pieces B C are held firmly against the upper and lower sides of the body A, and stretching of the iiexible strips D G, which is liable to occur, is effectually prevented from rendering the operation of the device imperfect. When the arms L of the pressing-pieces B are secured in the keepers K and the arms .I of the pressingpieces C are secured beneath the adjacent arms L, said arms L and J securely hold the inner edges of the pressing-pieces against the stays interposed between them and the body. It will also be appreciated that when the press- `ing-pieces B1 C are released the springs M N,

by reason of the leverage aorded by the arms a p, will return said pressing-pieces to and hold them in their open position, thus permitting of the convenient placing of a backstay on the body.

In using my improved device the stays,

through the medium of its arm J and is secured in such position by placing said arm .I under one of the arms L.

When it is desired to remove the finished stay, it is simply necessary to release the arms L from the keepers K, when the springs M N will move the pressing-pieces to their open positions. The nshed stay may then be readily removed and another stay put in its Y place,

Iprefer to use springsM N, constructed and applied as shown and described. Ido not desire, however, to be understood as confining myself to said springs, as such changes or modifications may be made` in practice as fairly fall within the scope of my claims.V

Having thus described myinvention, .what Y I clairnis- -p Y p Y l. In a device for turning backstays,'the' combinationV of a-body, pressing-pieces having lateral, outwardly-directed arms, proedges, the upper and lower pressing-.pieces Y j having lateral, outwardly-directed arms provided with apertures, strips of ilexible material connecting the pressingpiecesV to the body, whereby said pressing-pieces are adapted to be swung toward and from the body, suitable means for securing the pressingpieces in their closed position, and springs coiled about the studs on the body and having their upper arms extending through the apertures of the arms on the lower press- Y rco" `f ing-pieces, and their lower arms extending through the apertures of the arms on the upper pressing-pieces, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have. hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses. Y

ROBERT C. SCHEMMEL. V/fitnesses:

ELsIE COMMONS, A

O. E. GREEN.

1"s1` vided with apertures, strips of flexible mate- 

